Former GOP Senator will serve serious prison time for soliciting 17-year-old boy
During the 2016 GOP primary, he was the state Trump campaign chairman.

www.queerty.com/former-gop-senator-will-serve-serious-prison-time-soliciting-17-year-old-boy-20171120?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

A Homophobic Australian Lawmaker’s Remarks About Gay Marriage Took a Hilariously Ridiculous Turn: WATCH

North Queensland Federal MP Bob Katter, a famously homophobic Australian lawmaker, was asked for his remarks about the recent nationwide vote in favor of marriage equality, and his remarks went somewhere completely unexpected.

RELATED: Comedian Josh Thomas Destroys Homophobic Australian MP on Live TV: VIDEO

Said Katter, lightheartedly:

“I mean, y’know, people are entitled to their sexual proclivities. Let there be a thousand blossoms bloom, as far as I’m concerned…”

Katter’s tone immediately changed to one of anger, as he explained why he’s not paying the issue any more attention, and went completely, ridiculously into left field…

Watch:

In case you missed it, here’s Bob Katter’s alternative view on the #samesexmarriage debate. Thanks for watching. #Insiders #auspol pic.twitter.com/iObsR1tDs1

— Insiders ABC (@InsidersABC) November 18, 2017

The post A Homophobic Australian Lawmaker’s Remarks About Gay Marriage Took a Hilariously Ridiculous Turn: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

A Homophobic Australian Lawmaker’s Remarks About Gay Marriage Took a Hilariously Ridiculous Turn: WATCH

Trans Women Share Their Life Lessons To Offer Hope To Those In Transition

Transition can be an extremely difficult and isolating time for someone who is transgender. Not only is there uncertainty and fear, but blatant transphobia in the media (and all around) and few people, if any, to talk to.

But a group of trans women have lent their voices to a very important cause, reaching out to those going through transition so they don’t have to make the journey alone.

In today’s New Activist episode – released on Trans Day Of Remembrance, which honours the memories of those lost in anti-transgender violence – well-known trans women read essays from a new book ‘To My Trans Sisters’, which contains letters from 100 transgender women offering advice to girls at the start of their transitions.

Charlie Craggs, the books’ editor and star of HuffPost UK’s ‘New Activists’ series, explains to us: “The book is ‘what we wish we knew’… It contains letters from a plethora of inspiring trans women: from trailblazing politicians to celebrated entertainers, pioneering scientists to bestselling authors, and some straight-up trans icons too; women who have literally changed the world… I like to call it an encyclopaedia of trans excellence.”

Here are some of our favourite lines from the reading:

Charlie says: “Initially I thought practical transition tips would be most helpful
to you. Like advice about presenting and passing as female. Styling advice, make-up tips, how to cover five o’clock shadow, the physical side of transition.
But then I realised, as useful as they might be, this is what we get caught up in 
so often and what our entire transition and lives become centred around.
When what really matters is what lies behind the clothes, behind the make-up, behind the 5 o’clock shadow.”

Dr Kate Stone, CEO of Novalia, says: “Dear sis, don’t get lost in transition. The aim of transition is to come out at the other side. For too many of us, transition itself can become the focus.” 

Rhyannon Styles, author and writer for Elle urges those transitioning to be patient: “Believe it or not a transition can’t happen overnight. You can’t flick a switch and suddenly expect be the person you always dreamed of. Unfortunately it doesn’t happen like that…

“This is a journey of self-love, self-care and self-acceptance. Isn’t that right sister? Stand up, stand out, be bold and be proud. Most importantly, be you.”

Christine Burns MBE, a British political activist, says: “So what wisdom can I offer? The first thing is that people can surprise you. The people you anticipate being the most likely to reject you may turn out to be unexpected allies. I thought for instance that my parents might very possibly reject me. In the event, they turned out to be my staunchest allies and cheerleaders. We became far closer. I had been so, so wrong.”  

See Also:

On Transgender Day Of Remembrance, Let’s Look Out For And Support Trans People Facing Bigotry

Trans People Are Being Badly Let Down In Healthcare, And It’s Dangerous

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/trans-women-open-letters-to-offer-hope-transition_uk_5a12bd2fe4b0dd63b1ab67ea

A Growing Number of Men are Identifying as ‘Mostly Straight’ Over ‘Bisexual’

A new book, Mostly Straight: Sexual Fluidity Among Men, says there’s a fourth category of male sexuality in addition to gay, straight, and bisexual which has been made possible by millennials with a more relaxed view of sexual orientation.

A growing number of men (6% according to a poll cited by author Ritch C. Savin Williams) are identifying as “mostly straight,” a category “not readily available to previous generations.”

Writes Williams in his book:

The mostly straight man belongs to a growing trend of young men who are secure in their heterosexuality yet remain aware of their potential to experience far more. Perhaps he’s felt attracted to or fantasized about another guy to a slight degree or intermittently. He might or might not be comfortable with this seeming contradiction, a hetero guy who, despite his lust for women, rejects a straight label, a sexual category and a sexual description that feels foreign. He’d rather find another place on the sexual/romantic continuum, some location that fits him more comfortably.

He knows he’s not gay, but straight with a dash of gayness. But how much gayness? Not much — a relatively small percentage, say around 5% to 10%, of his sexual and romantic feelings. Strict rules don’t apply. These attractions are sexual, romantic or both and can be expressed in various ways, from erotic fantasies to actual behavior. Perhaps he’s made out or he wants to make out with a guy friend. He’s participated in all-male group masturbation or is willing to receive oral sex from an attractive guy he’s just met. But it’s unlikely that he has had penetrative sex with a guy, though he might be willing to if the right guy or circumstance appeared. He might have had an intense guy crush. But to fall passionately in love with a guy is too much, though he might have quite strong feelings and cuddle with a best friend.

This man, according to Williams, is not a bisexual in disguise or hoping he’ll turn out as fully straight one day. He also says the “mostly straight” man is not afraid to identify as bisexual for fear of social stigma, and in another part argues that “bisexual, even if it is understood as ‘bisexual-leaning straight,’ is too gay to accurately describe their identity.”

Adds Williams:

He is not a disgruntled straight man tired of sex with women, nor is he necessarily unhappy or frustrated with the availability of heterosexual sex. He may retreat from a full identification with heterosexuality, but rarely does he gravitate toward bisexuality, and almost never does he move toward homosexuality of any sort. Thus, he is a closer cousin to straight guys than to traditional bisexual guys.

Head over to TIME for the full excerpt.

What do you think of the “mostly straight” identity? Is there also, then, a “mostly gay” identity?

The post A Growing Number of Men are Identifying as ‘Mostly Straight’ Over ‘Bisexual’ appeared first on Towleroad.

A Growing Number of Men are Identifying as ‘Mostly Straight’ Over ‘Bisexual’

How Gratitude Can Bring You Transcendence

I often discuss the value of gratitude with my peer group, and for good reason. The practice of cultivating gratitude regularly has helped to enhance peace of mind for many. Personally, gratitude has helped me to acknowledge the subtle pleasures in life, and gives me a brighter perspective on what otherwise could be considered mundane routines. Emotionally speaking, gratitude has been known to bring a sense of clarity, joy and deep appreciation for life. Many of the wisdom traditions recommend applying gratitude, as do modern-day psychologists.

While seeking to improve one’s material life can be healthy, too much emphasis being placed on the things we are lacking can lead to dissatisfaction, resentment and often jealousy of our peers. In an often precarious world dominated by consumerism and individualism, it is increasingly important to recognise how an attitude of gratitude can be incredibly beneficial to our emotional health.

Furthermore, sincere gratitude can ignite those golden and unexpected moments of transcendence. There are all sorts of transcending moments we can reflect upon and appreciate. Perhaps it was reading a beautiful piece of poetry, listening to a wonderful piece of music or being transfixed by a breathtaking sunrise. Such experiences can activate moments of reverence in our hearts and mind.

As a Brit, I have come to respect that our friends across the pond dedicate one day a year (a national holiday) to being thankful and appreciating the good. Although I was aware of Thanksgiving in my childhood, I first experienced the American holiday in November 2005 in Los Angeles. My friends and I decided to go to a local restaurant to celebrate the occasion. The weather was warm and mild, and there was calm in the South Bay. The Thanksgiving celebrations were very low key and mellow, but you could certainly feel a collective appreciation for the present moment.

It was the US President, JF Kennedy, who said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” When we are regularly acknowledging the things we appreciate, by expressing our gratitude through our actions, we often expand our lives and the lives of others. It is important to point out, however, that we may not always “feel” grateful, but we can certainly learn to “act” grateful. In other words, we can make a decision that we are going to gradually develop a steady attitude that is motivated by appreciation and thankfulness, irrespective of the vicissitudes of everyday living.

Here are three tools to amplify an attitude of gratitude:

1) According to Melanie Greenberg Ph.D. writing regularly in a gratitude journal helps us to focus on the good things in our lives and can gradually change our mindset. “If you want to gain a health benefit from gratitude, you may need to persist with the diaries for two or three months. This practice takes only 5 or 10 minutes a day, but when done cumulatively, seems to reorient your mental compass towards focusing on the positive.”

2) Ask someone to join you regularly with respect to reflecting on the things you both appreciate. There is something very powerful about the act of two or three people regularly outreaching and sharing thankfulness. You may hear something being said that deepens your own appreciation.

3) Put some time aside to sit quietly and think about all of the good things in your life. You may find visualisation quite helpful. Sometimes seeing the good you have in your mind can shield you from unkind beliefs about yourself. After all, the more you focus on what you have, the more likely you are to feel peaceful. After you have visualised the gifts in your life, take action and begin to see how you can be of service to others (in a way that feels right for you).

Christopher Dines’ new book, The Kindness Habit: Transforming our Relationship to Addictive Behaviours co-authored with Dr. Barbara Mariposa is out now.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/how-gratitude-can-bring-you-transcendence_uk_5a11e43ae4b0e6450602ec32

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 20, 2017

TODAY IS TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE — WE HONOR LIVES LOST AS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE TARGETING TRANSGENDER PEOPLE WORSENS: 2017 has been the deadliest year on record for transgender people, according to a new report by HRC and the Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC). A Time to Act: Fatal Violence Against Transgender People in America in 2017 documents the heartbreaking reality of the often deadly violence faced by  transgender people and explores factors that have made this year the deadliest on record. “The epidemic of violence against transgender people is an urgent crisis that demands the nation’s immediate attention,” said HRC President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin). “The unique and tragic stories featured in this report reflect the obstacles that many transgender Americans — especially trans women of color — face in their daily lives. It is crucial that we know these stories in order to combat the transphobia, misogyny and racism fueling this violence so that we can end this epidemic before it takes any more lives.” Transgender Day of Remembrance also comes amidst reports of a surge in hate-based violence and harassment that began during Donald Trump’s campaign, and continues under the Trump-Pence administration. More from HRC, Mother Jones, The Daily Beast and The Associated Press.

• Find an event honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance here.

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a time to reflect on those we have lost & recommit to ending the epidemic of anti-trans violence. #TDOR t.co/laAyFRKiXk pic.twitter.com/NPm19vSWi8

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) November 20, 2017

ALABAMA U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE DOUG JONES RECEIVES MAJOR ENDORSEMENT:  A powerful front-page editorial online and in the Sunday editions of three major Alabama newspapers urged voters in the December 12 special U.S. Senate race to “Stand For Decency And Reject Roy Moore.” The editorial from the Alabama Media Group , which publishes The Birmingham News, The Huntsville Times, the Mobile Press-Register, and AL.com, endorsed Jones as the “only candidate worthy of representing Alabama.” It continued:  “What is disqualifying is the conduct of Roy Moore against women and children. It was disqualifying for his party leaders. It was disqualifying for Alabama’s senior senator. And it should be disqualifying for his state party.” HRC has also endorsed Jones.  #NoMoore from Al.com.

• At a recent Moore rally, the anti-LGBTQ candidate’s supporters made horrifyingly bigoted statements about the the “LGBT mafia” and “homosexualist gay terrorism.” More from The Associated Press.
• The Reverend Dr. William Barber (@RevDrBarber), writes about the “The Unbearable Hypocrisy of Roy Moore’s Christian Rhetoric,” in a piece for NBC.

“This isn’t Christianity, it’s an extreme form of Republican religionism. It is the religion of racism and lies, not the religion of redemption and love.” – @RevDrBarber t.co/pJuTHpaZBh

— NBC BLK (@NBCBLK) November 19, 2017

MONDAY MUST WATCH — DEVOTED COUPLES ASK EACH OTHER QUESTIONS MEANT TO BRING STRANGERS TOGETHER: And the results are beautiful. In this moving video from The New York Times’ Samantha Stark (@starksamantha) and Bonnie Wertheim (@bmwertheim), three couples ask each other questions designed by psychologists intended to bring strangers closer together. More from NYT.

DANICA ROEM ATTENDS THE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS AS A GUEST OF DEMI LOVATO: “She’s really able to give a lot of voice to people who need a champion, who need someone to basically publicly say on a national stage what it is that they’re feeling,” Roem said on the red carpet, referring to Lovato. “My campaign, I talked a lot about the idea of making Virginia a more inclusive commonwealth. So no matter what you look like, where you come from, how you worship or who you love, you are welcome, celebrated and respected in Virginia because of who you are, not despite it.” More from People and The Washington Post.

I’ll always stand for inclusion & against bullying. Demi Lovato’s performance tonight made it clear that’s where she stands too. Thank you for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity @ddlovato.
PWC folks: I’ll be back bright & early Monday to talk education policy. See you soon! #NoH8 t.co/6BJzz5xhNp

— Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) November 20, 2017

SIXTY-TWO PERCENT OF SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AGREE: Businesses should not have a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people. More from Forbes.

OREGON TRANS TEEN SUES AFTER SCHOOL REFUSES HIM ACCESS TO BOYS’ FACILITIES: The Dallas, Ore., School District refused to allow Elliot Yoder to use the boy’s restrooms and locker rooms. More from The Oregonian.

MUNICIPALITIES IN FLORIDA LEADING IN PROTECTING YOUTH FROM DANGEROUS SO-CALLED “CONVERSION THERAPY”: While Florida does not have a statewide ban on the dangerous and debunked practice, municipalities across the state are stepping up and passing local laws to protect youth. More from The Daily Beast.

OKLAHOMA LGBTQ CENTER DAMAGED IN SHOOTING: Four panels of Freedom Oklahoma’s glass walls were shattered, but, thankfully, no one was harmed. Police are investigating the incident, as well as threatening phone calls the center received two months ago. More from NewNowNext.

NEW YORK LAUNCHES SUICIDE PREVENTION TASK FORCE: It was created after Governor Andrew Cuomo mentioned the need in his State of the State address, and will focus on combatting suicide in communities including teens, veterans and LGBTQ people. More from The (Albany) Times Union.

HORRIFYING — MAN THROWS ACID AT LGBTQ ADVOCATES IN MOSCOW: The advocates were leaving a conference on LGBTQ families. More from NewNowNext.

LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP — JUSTIN TRUDEAU TO OFFER HISTORIC APOLOGY FOR ANTI-LGBTQ PERSECUTION: On November 28, the Canadian prime minister will offer a formal apology for LGBTQ people who were persecuted or discharged from the military in the past. More from The Globe and Mail.

TURKISH GOVERNOR BANS LGBTQ EVENTS: HRC is outraged by news out of Turkey that the governor of Ankara, the capital city, has announced an indefinite ban all LGBTQ film screenings, panels and exhibitions and other public events. This ban must be lifted immediately. More from The New York Post.

• The first victim of the ban — a German LGBTQ film festival. The governor issued a statement saying the festival “could incite grudges and enmity toward a part of society.” More from the BBC.

READING RAINBOW

Refinery29 interviews non-binary people about their identities and experiences; HRC gives tips for navigating LGBTQ conversations over the holidays; Culturemap Dallas photographs the 36th annual Black Tie Dinner in Dallas; Entertainment Weekly gives a first look at Ryan Murphy’s groundbreaking new series Pose;

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-november-20-2017?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

How This Trans Woman Became an ‘Accidental Activist’

Kathy Huff saw injustice and refused to let it stand.

www.advocate.com/commentary/2017/11/20/how-trans-woman-became-accidental-activist

Pink’s Acrobatic ‘Beautiful Trauma’ Ballet on the Side of the JW Marriott is a Must-See AMAs Moment: WATCH

Pink had a high-flying night at the American Music Awards on Sunday night where she performed her track “Beautiful Trauma” in an acrobatic ballet on the side of the JW Marriott hotel.

ALSO: Demi Lovato Brings Transgender Virginia Lawmaker Danica Roem to ‘American Music Awards’ – WATCH

The performance, in which the singer and her dancers were suspended from ropes, created the gorgeous illusion when viewed from below that they were dancing, weightless, on some sort of futuristic grid.

Watch:

It came a few numbers after a stunning opening rendition of “Everybody Hurts” by Pink and Kelly Clarkson in honor of first responders.

Watch:

Later, Clarkson showed off her pipes with her new single “Love So Soft” coupled with “Miss Independent”.

Watch:

The post Pink’s Acrobatic ‘Beautiful Trauma’ Ballet on the Side of the JW Marriott is a Must-See AMAs Moment: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Pink’s Acrobatic ‘Beautiful Trauma’ Ballet on the Side of the JW Marriott is a Must-See AMAs Moment: WATCH